“The Counseling and Testing Center at WKU is working in collaboration with BRASS, Inc., to increase awareness of domestic violence and its impact on our campus and community,” said Elizabeth Madariaga, WKU’s Sexual Assault Services Coordinator. “Women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence. We’d like to take a proactive approach to address these issues and let perpetrators understand this is not acceptable behavior. We want to let survivors of intimate partner violence know they are supported.”

During the month of October, WKU will be collecting cell phones for BRASS at the following locations: WKU Health Services, Learning Assistance Center at South Campus, Garrett Conference Center lobby and the Counseling and Testing Center office in Potter Hall.

Other events include the following:

Oct. 8: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation Signing for Warren County, 11 a.m. at the Kentucky Building on WKU’s campus.

Oct. 30: “Reading of the Names,” 6 p.m. at parking lot across from Warren County Justice Center in downtown Bowling Green.

“Domestic violence continues to destroy families across the Commonwealth,” said Lee Alcott, executive director of BRASS, Inc. “Shelters have been operating over capacity for several months. Advocates at the Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc. answered over 500 crisis calls during the month of August 2012. That is an increase of 75 calls over our average number of calls. We need to continue to work together to hold perpetrators accountable and to support safety options for victims and their children.”